Substance profile
Butan-1-ol
Butan-1-ol is a colorless liquid with a harsh fusel odor with banana.
01 · Identification
What Butan-1-ol is
Butan-1-ol is a colorless liquid with a harsh fusel odor with banana. Its molecular formula is C4H10O and its molecular weight is 74.12 g/mol. It boils at 118 °C, melts at -88.6 °C.
Under the GHS it carries the signal word Danger. It is classed as flammable agents - 3rd degree.
02 · Identifiers
Butan-1-ol identifiers and molecular data
Butan-1-ol CAS number and EC number
Butan-1-ol molecular formula and molecular weight
Other names for Butan-1-ol
- n-butanol
03 · GHS classification
Butan-1-ol hazard classification
Harmonised classification under CLP Annex VI. This is the legally binding classification in the EU; other jurisdictions may differ.
Butan-1-ol pictograms and signal word
Butan-1-ol hazard class and category
| Hazard class | Category | From code | Pictogram |
|---|---|---|---|
| Flammable liquids GHS chapter 2.6 | Category 3 | H226 | GHS02 |
| Acute toxicity - oral GHS chapter 3.1 | Category 4 | H302 | GHS07 |
| Skin corrosion/irritation GHS chapter 3.2 | Category 2 | H315 | GHS07 |
| Serious eye damage/eye irritation GHS chapter 3.3 | Category 1 | H318 | GHS05 |
| Specific target organ toxicity - single exposure GHS chapter 3.8 | Category 3 | H335 | GHS07 |
| Specific target organ toxicity - single exposure GHS chapter 3.8 | Category 3 narcotic | H336 | GHS07 |
Butan-1-ol hazard statements (H-codes)
| Code | Hazard statement |
|---|---|
| H226 | Flammable liquid and vapour. |
| H302 | Harmful if swallowed. |
| H335 | May cause respiratory irritation. |
| H336 | May cause drowsiness or dizziness. |
| H315 | Causes skin irritation. |
| H318 | Causes serious eye damage. |
This page lists only the codes assigned to Butan-1-ol. The full reference lives on the hazard statements hub, the precautionary statements hub and the GHS pictograms hub.
Safety Data Sheet
Getting an SDS for Butan-1-ol
A Safety Data Sheet is written for a product, not for a substance: the supplier of the grade you actually buy issues it, so two suppliers of Butan-1-ol issue two different sheets. That is why there is no single authoritative SDS for a substance to download — what there is, is the job of collecting the sheets for the products you hold and keeping them current as suppliers revise them.
04 · Precautionary statements
Butan-1-ol precautionary statements
CLP Annex VI assigns 18 precautionary statements to Butan-1-ol. They are grouped the way a label groups them: what to do before handling, what to do when something has already happened, how to store it and how to dispose of it.
Prevention
What to do before and during handling so the hazard never happens.
Response
What to do once exposure, spillage or fire has already happened.
Reading the notation. … is a blank the supplier fills in — not a truncated sentence.· [square brackets] mark a part printed only when it applies.
05 · Names in the regulation
Butan-1-ol name in 23 EU languages
CLP Annex VI Part 3 is published in every language edition of the regulation, and the identification column is written out in each of them. Nothing below is translated by us: each line is the name as that edition prints it. Under Art. 18(2) the substance name from Annex VI is a lawful product identifier, so this is the wording to put on a label going to that market — and where the cell lists several designations, any one of them qualifies.
| Language | Name in CLP Annex VI Part 3 |
|---|---|
| Bulgarian български | бутан-1-ол n -бутанол |
| Spanish español | Butan-1-ol n -butanol |
| Czech čeština | butan-1-ol n -butanol |
| Danish dansk | butan-1-ol n -butanol |
| German Deutsch | Butan-1-ol n -Butanoln-Butylalkohol |
| Estonian eesti | butaan-1-ool n -butanool |
| Greek ελληνικά | βουταν-1-όλη n -βουτανόλη |
| English English | butan-1-ol n -butanol |
| French français | butan-1-ol n -butanol |
| Croatian hrvatski | butan-1-ol n -butanol |
| Italian italiano | butan-1-olo n-butanolo |
| Latvian latviešu | butān-1-ols n -butanols |
| Lithuanian lietuvių | butan-1-olis n -butanolis |
| Hungarian magyar | bután-1-ol n -butanol |
| Maltese Malti | butan-1-ol n -butanol |
| Dutch Nederlands | butaan-1-ol n -butanol |
| Polish polski | butan-1-ol n -butanol |
| Portuguese português | butan-1-ol n -butanol |
| Romanian română | butan-1-ol n -butanol |
| Slovak slovenčina | bután-1-ol butanol |
| Slovenian slovenščina | butan-1-ol n -butanol |
| Finnish suomi | butan-1-oli n -butanoli |
| Swedish svenska | butan-1-ol n -butanol |
All 23 language editions of Annex VI carry this entry. Irish is the twenty-fourth official EU language and has no line here for a different reason: no consolidated CLP text has ever been published in Irish, so there is no Irish edition of Annex VI to quote a name from. Source: consolidated CLP, CELEX 02008R1272, language editions. © European Union, https://eur-lex.europa.eu — only the electronic Official Journal of the European Union is authentic.
06 · Label elements
Butan-1-ol GHS label elements
Everything CLP Annex VI fixes for Butan-1-ol, laid out the way it appears on a label. The greyed lines are the parts only the supplier can fill in.
Danger
Butan-1-ol
- Flammable liquid and vapour.
- Harmful if swallowed.
- May cause respiratory irritation.
- May cause drowsiness or dizziness.
- Causes skin irritation.
- Causes serious eye damage.
- Keep away from heat, hot surfaces, sparks, open flames and other ignition sources. No smoking.
- Keep container tightly closed.
- Use explosion-proof [electrical/ventilating/lighting/…] equipment.
- Use only non-sparking tools.
- Wash … thoroughly after handling.
- Do not eat, drink or smoke when using this product.
- Wear protective gloves/protective clothing/eye protection/face protection/hearing protection/…
- IF SWALLOWED:
- IF ON SKIN:
- IF IN EYES:
- Immediately call a POISON CENTER/doctor/…
- Call a POISON CENTER/doctor/… if you feel unwell.
- Get medical advice/attention.
- Rinse mouth.
- If skin irritation occurs:
- Remove contact lenses, if present and easy to do. Continue rinsing.
- Wash with plenty of water/…
- Store in a well-ventilated place.
Supplier name, address and telephone number· Product identifier·Nominal quantity
Need this as an actual label? Open Butan-1-ol in the GHS label constructor →
07 · Health hazards
Butan-1-ol health hazards and exposure limits
Butan-1-ol hazard summary
A skin, eye, and respiratory tract irritant; Inhalation of high concentrations can cause CNS depression; [ICSC]
Source: Haz-Map, Information on Hazardous Chemicals and Occupational Diseases
Butan-1-ol carcinogenicity classification
CLASSIFICATION: D; not classifiable as to human carcinogenicity. BASIS FOR CLASSIFICATION: Based on no human and no animal cancer data. HUMAN CARCINOGENICITY DATA: None. ANIMAL CARCINOGENICITY DATA: None.
Source: Hazardous Substances Data Bank (HSDB)
An IARC group and a CLP classification answer different questions. IARC judges whether the evidence for cancer in humans is strong enough; CLP Annex VI is the legally binding EU classification. A substance can carry one and not the other.
Butan-1-ol occupational exposure limits
| Limit | Value | Source |
|---|---|---|
| PEL | 100.0 [ppm] | Haz-Map, Information on Hazardous Chemicals and Occupational Diseases |
| PEL | 100 ppm (300 mg/m³) | Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) |
| PEL | TWA 100 ppm (300 mg/m3) See Appendix G | The National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) |
| REL | 50 ppm (150 mg/m³) | Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) |
| REL | C 50 ppm (150 mg/m3) [skin] | The National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) |
| IDLH | 1400 ppm ; Based on 10% of the lower explosive limit. (NIOSH, 2024) | CAMEO Chemicals |
| IDLH | 1400.0 [ppm] | Haz-Map, Information on Hazardous Chemicals and Occupational Diseases |
| IDLH | 1400 ppm | Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) |
These are United States values. The European Union sets its own indicative and binding limits, and the figure that applies at a given workplace is the one in the local regulation — not the one shown here.
08 · Physical and chemical properties
Butan-1-ol properties
Every value is shown with the conditions it was measured under and the source it came from. Where sources disagree, all values are listed rather than one being picked — the difference is usually a different form of the substance, not an error.
Butan-1-ol boiling point
| Property | Value | Conditions | Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| Boiling point | 117.6 °C (243.7 °F) | HSDB | |
| 117.22 °C (243 °F) | NIOSH | ||
| 117.72 °C (243.9 °F) | at 760 mmHg | CAMEO |
Butan-1-ol melting point
| Property | Value | Conditions | Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| Melting point | -88.6 °C (-127.5 °F) | HSDB | |
| -89.44 °C (-129 °F) | NIOSH |
Butan-1-ol density
| Property | Value | Conditions | Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| Density | 0.81 g/cm³ | NIOSH | |
| 0.8098 g/cm³ | at 20 °C | HSDB | |
| 0.81 g/cm³ | at 20 °C | CAMEO |
Butan-1-ol solubility
| Property | Value | Conditions | Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| Solubility | In water, 68 g/L at 25 °C | at 25 °C | HSDB |
| In water, 6.32X10+4 mg/L at 25 °C | at 25 °C | HSDB |
Butan-1-ol vapor pressure
| Property | Value | Conditions | Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| Vapor pressure | 6 mmHg | NIOSH | |
| 15.51 mmHg | CAMEO | ||
| 7 mmHg | at 25 °C | HSDB |
Butan-1-ol flash point
| Property | Value | Conditions | Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| Flash point | 36.67 °C (98 °F) | HSDB | |
| 28.89 °C (84 °F) | HSDB |
Butan-1-ol autoignition temperature
| Property | Value | Conditions | Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| Autoignition temperature | 343.33 °C (650 °F) | HSDB | |
| 345 °C (653 °F) | ICSC |
Butan-1-ol lower explosive limit (LEL)
| Property | Value | Conditions | Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| Lower explosive limit (LEL) | 1.4 % by volume | HSDB |
Butan-1-ol upper explosive limit (UEL)
| Property | Value | Conditions | Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| Upper explosive limit (UEL) | 11.2 % by volume | HSDB |
Butan-1-ol vapor density
| Property | Value | Conditions | Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| Vapor density | 2.6 (air = 1) | HSDB |
Butan-1-ol odor threshold
| Property | Value | Conditions | Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| Odor threshold | 2.50 ppm (detection in water, chemically pure) | HSDB | |
| 2.77 ppm (detection in air, chemically pure) | HSDB |
Butan-1-ol critical temperature and pressure
| Property | Value | Conditions | Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| Critical temperature and pressure | 289.85 °C (553.7 °F) | HSDB |
Butan-1-ol corrosivity
| Property | Value | Conditions | Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| Corrosivity | Attack some forms of plastics, rubber, and coatings | HSDB |
Values compiled from PubChem Laboratory Chemical Safety Summary. Temperatures converted to Fahrenheit for reference.
09 · Fire and explosion
Butan-1-ol fire and explosion behaviour
These are descriptions rather than measured values, so they are kept out of the table above and quoted here with the source that reported them.
Butan-1-ol fire potential
Flammable liquid. Moderately explosive when exposed to flame.
Source: Hazardous Substances Data Bank (HSDB)
Odor
Water odor threshold: 7.1 mg/L. Air odor threshold: 0.83 ppm. Odor safety class: B. B= odor safety factor 26-550. 50-90% of distracted persons perceive warning of TLV.
Source: HSDB
10 · Handling and storage
Butan-1-ol storage and handling
Butan-1-ol peroxide formation
D*: Other compounds that may form peroxides
Source: Lab and Research Safety, University of Minnesota
Butan-1-ol safe storage
Fireproof. Separated from strong oxidants and aluminium. Store only in original container. See Chemical Dangers.
Source: ILO-WHO International Chemical Safety Cards (ICSCs)
Butan-1-ol incompatible materials
Butanol, used as a solvent in an autoclave preparation at 100 °C, severely attacked the aluminum gasket, liberating hydrogen which caused a sharp rise in pressure. Other alcohols would behave similarly ... .
Source: Hazardous Substances Data Bank (HSDB)
Butan-1-ol reactivity
N-BUTYL ALCOHOL attacks plastics. [Handling Chemicals Safely 1980. p. 236]. Mixtures with concentrated sulfuric acid and strong hydrogen peroxide can cause explosions. May form explosive butyl hypochlorite by reacting with hypochlorous acid. May form butyl explosive butyl hypochlorite with chlorine.
Source: CAMEO Chemicals
Planning storage for a mix of chemicals? Check Butan-1-ol in the storage compatibility matrix →
11 · Questions
Butan-1-ol — frequently asked questions
What is the CAS number of Butan-1-ol?
The CAS number of Butan-1-ol is 71-36-3. Its EC number is 200-751-6.
What is the chemical formula of Butan-1-ol?
The molecular formula of Butan-1-ol is C4H10O and its molecular weight is 74.12 g/mol.
What does a Butan-1-ol label have to show?
Under CLP Annex VI the label for Butan-1-ol carries the pictograms Flame, Corrosion and Exclamation mark and the signal word is Danger.
Is Butan-1-ol flammable?
Yes. CLP Annex VI assigns Butan-1-ol H226 — flammable liquid and vapour. The flash point reported for it is 36.67 °C (98 °F) (HSDB).
Is Butan-1-ol a carcinogen?
CLP Annex VI records no harmonised carcinogenicity classification for Butan-1-ol. Annex VI is a list of agreed classifications, not a list of substances found safe, so this is an absence of a classification rather than a clean bill of health.
What is the exposure limit for Butan-1-ol?
The US occupational exposure limit reported for Butan-1-ol is 100.0 [ppm] (Haz-Map, Information on Hazardous Chemicals and Occupational Diseases). Limits differ by country: the EU sets its own indicative and binding values, and the figure that applies at a given workplace is the one in the local regulation.
What is the boiling point of Butan-1-ol?
The boiling point reported for Butan-1-ol is 117.6 °C (243.7 °F) (HSDB).
What is the melting point of Butan-1-ol?
The melting point reported for Butan-1-ol is -88.6 °C (-127.5 °F) (HSDB).
How should Butan-1-ol be stored?
CLP Annex VI assigns Butan-1-ol the storage statement P403.
Nearby
Substances next to Butan-1-ol
Keep going: substances starting with B, or search the whole database by name, CAS number, pictogram or signal word.